MLB Player News

Capra went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Yankees.

Capra won a roster spot with a huge showing in spring training which saw him slug six home runs, and he drew the start at third base Opening Day. He carried that momentum into his first plate appearance, when he lined a Carlos Rodon offering over the left-field wall to lead off the top of the third inning. It was the first major-league homer for Capra, who struck out and grounded out in his other two plate appearances before being pinch-hit for in the ninth inning. Capra looks to be on the short side of a platoon at third base with Oliver Dunn until the Brewers decide Caleb Durbin is ready for a promotion, but he could hit his way into a larger role.

Ramos went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Thursday's 6-4 win over Cincinnati.

Ramos did strike out three times Thursday, but he made his one hit count when he took Hunter Greene deep to the opposite field in the fourth inning. The 25-year-old Ramos is expected to serve as San Francisco's everyday left fielder after slashing .269/.322/.469 with 22 home runs and 72 RBI last season.

Shaw went 1-for-4 with a walk and three runs scored in Thursday's 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

Shaw was making his third straight start for the Cubs, and the rookie put together his best performance to date during the team's domestic opener. There may be some growing pains for the 23-year-old, but Chicago seems committed to him at third base, and Shaw did manage a robust .867 OPS across Double-A and Triple-A last year. The 13th overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft has the talent to make an impact in the majors right away.

Gallen (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Cubs after giving up four runs on four hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Gallen finished spring training with a 2.89 ERA and 10:5 K:BB in 9.1 Cactus League innings, and his command was shaky again Thursday as he threw just 43 of 83 pitches for strikes. The right-hander will need to get on track quickly, as he's set for a matchup with the Yankees in his second start of the season next week.

Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored in Thursday's 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks. He also stole a base.

It's been a bit of a slow start to the year for Crow-Armstrong, who went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts in Chicago's two-game opening series in Tokyo earlier this month. He didn't swipe any bags during that series either, but he got back to running once he reached base during the domestic opener. Maintaining a decent batting average remains a concern for Crow-Armstrong, but the 23-year-old has shown that he can record steals at a high rate when he gets the opportunity.

Hoerner (forearm) went 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

Hoerner missed Chicago's two-game opening series in Tokyo earlier this month as he recovered from October flexor tendon surgery, but he was ready to go for the domestic opener. Assuming he can stay healthy the rest of the season, the infielder should provide a solid batting average -- he's hit between .273 and .283 in each of his three full seasons as a starter -- and plenty of stolen bases, as he swiped 74 bags in 2023 and 2024 combined.

Amaya went 2-for-5 with two doubles and five RBI during Thursday's 10-6 win against the Diamondbacks.

The 26-year-old started behind the plate and batted ninth in the Cubs' domestic opener, and he powered the offense with a three-run double in the fifth inning and a two-run double in the ninth. Amaya has been a bright spot in his first two games of the season, going 3-for-8 with three doubles and six RBI, which could help him move up from the bottom of the lineup.

Happ went 2-for-5 with a walk, a double, a home run, two runs scored and three total RBI in Thursday's 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

Happ batted leadoff and led the way for the Cubs in the team's first game in the U.S., after they started the season with a two-game set in Tokyo. The veteran outfielder collected a hit in each of those games, and Thursday he recorded his first multi-hit performance as well as launching his first home run of the year. Happ should remain at or near the top of Chicago's lineup, and over the last four seasons he's averaged about 22 homers, 11 steals, 77 RBI and 77 runs.

Steele (1-1) earned the win Thursday in Arizona after allowing three runs on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out two.

The left-hander pounded the zone and threw 55 of 77 pitches for strikes, but he generated just four whiffs as Arizona tagged him for three extra-base hits. Steele was able to limit the damage well enough, but he's now surrendered three homers through his first two starts of the season after serving up two long balls in Tokyo against the Dodgers. A more favorable matchup with the Athletics is on the docket next week.

Encarnacion is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday on his fractured left hand, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The 27-year-old appears likely to miss at least the first month of the season. Before injuring his hand in the final week of spring training, Encarnacion was on track to open the season as the Giants' primary designated hitter, but those duties are now expected to fall to Wilmer Flores, who slugged a three-run home run in San Francisco's Opening Day win over Cincinnati.